Free wave SVG files

Smooth curves are the whole point

A wave is nothing but curves, so a rough file shows at once: flat spots on the crest, or a blade that stutters round the lip. These waves are written as a small number of long curves, with a sharp corner only where the lip turns in. That keeps a cutting machine moving steadily, which matters most in vinyl and when drawing with a pen.

The curling waves are solid and bold. The stripes inside them are about 2.3 mm wide at the 100 mm size of the file and end before the outline, so the wave never falls apart. At 50 mm wide they are near the limit for card; below that, use the simple wave, which has no stripes.

Borders, patterns and loose pieces

The wave border is made to repeat: both ends finish at the same height on a flat base, so copies placed end to end weld into one strip. The seamless wave pattern is a framed panel; cut it as it is for a coaster or card front. The three water waves are separate bands, so keep them on transfer tape to hold their spacing.

How to open the files

• Cricut Design Space: choose Upload, pick the SVG, and add it to the canvas. Set the width you want; the shape is already welded.
• Silhouette Studio: Designer Edition and above open the SVG. The free Basic Edition does not, so open the DXF instead.
• LightBurn, xTool Creative Space and Glowforge: import the SVG, then set the layer to cut, score or engrave.
• Inkscape, Illustrator and Affinity: open the SVG. It is a plain filled path, so you can recolour it, add a stroke or combine it with your own work.
• Printing or sublimation: use the PNG, which has a transparent background.

Each design page lists the file’s narrowest part at seven sizes, so you can tell whether it will survive at the size you plan to cut.

Questions